Since the publication of her book on traditional Kunjen medicine Uw Oykangand Oy berr, author Alma Luke has noticed more of the people in her community using bush medicine in place of western drugs.

"They are using the cattle bush more than any other medicine... they drink it too, for high blood pressure."

Ms Luke and co-author Bernadette Boscacci came up with the idea for the book 17 years ago, but it has been over the last four the project has really taken shape.

The traditional remedies are based on stories taught to Ms Luke by her parents.

Ms Boscacci says part of the reason they wanted to publish the book was to promote healthier lifestyles in the Kowanyama community as well as passing on traditional knowledge.

"To encourage and re-encourage the use of the medicines in the community because there is a lot of reliance on Panadol and things like that, and so it is about a re-education and a re-appreciation" she says.

Ms Luke is pleased that traditional Kunjen knowledge will be passed on to her grandchildren.

"I love the story that my parents told me, that's how I wrote it down instead of keeping it to myself. I want to give knowledge to my family too, they might come to know all those bush medicines."

The book has been published by Black Ink Press and will be launched on Sunday January 22 at Mary Who Bookshop in Townsville.